Seasonal Care

This is a good time of year to consider renovating your lawn.
Dethatching, aeration and reseeding can add many years of life
to your lawn.

Fertilization

• Apply a pre-emergent with weed control in early February. This
  will control almost all seed germination
  of weeds for a period of ninety days.
• If you are reseeding the lawn do not apply a pre-emergent as it
  will inhibit grass seed from germinating.
• Many pre-emergent products are combined with fertilizer. When
  used, this will serve as the first
  fertilizer application of the year for your lawn.

By mid March the grass should be actively growing!

• Apply a fertilizer with a small percentage of nitrates in the
  nitrogen formula.
• Most winterized or water soluble fertilizers containing either
  ammoniacal or nitrate-type Nitrogen
  on their label will release faster and produce more top growth
  (clippings) during mowing.
• Newer fertilizers that contain coated or slow release nitrogen
  will control its release over a
  longer period.
• Any fertilizer used after this application should be a “balanced
  formulation” lawn fertilizer.
• The type of fertilizer one chooses should meet the needs of the
  specific turf.

Irrigation

• Check your sprinklers for proper coverage.
• Cleaning nozzles, flushing line, adjusting heads, and replacing
  the clock batteries will all help
  “tune up” your system.
• Try a less frequent, deeper soak to encourage deeper roots.
• Early morning watering helps prevent turf disease as the lawn
  dries out during the day.

Aeration

Aeration opens up the soil and stimulates root growth, especially
when followed by a balanced fertilization.
Core aeration also relieves soil compaction in older lawns and high
traffic areas. Multiple aerations
(2 to 3 or more per year) can greatly benefit high use lawns and
help ease compaction.

Rising spring soil temperatures can generate other growth in
your lawn as well.

• Look for grubs that have been over wintered in the soil. They
  can start to move into the root zone
  and feed until their life cycle moves onto the adult stage.
• At this point, wait until you see damage from the larvae again
  before you treat your lawn. This
  often occurs in late May-early June.

Mowing

Spring is also the right time to increase the mowing height of your
lawn. Delta Bluegrass Company suggests
the following:

• Dwarf Fescues: 1 ½ inches to 3 inches
• Fine Fescues: 1 ½ inches to 2 ½ inches
• Tall Fescues: 2 inches to 3 inches
• Blue-Rye: 1 ½ inches to 2 ½ inches

Additional watering is necessary when temperatures exceed 90
degrees!

Fertilization

Slow release nitrogen fertilizers should be the preferred choice
during the summer season. These fertilizers
release nutrients over a longer period of time and maintain a steady
growth rate. They are usually
non-burning and cause less stress to your summer turf.

These fertilizers do not produce “growth flushes” like the
traditional fertilizers that contain quick
release forms of nitrogen.

Irrigation

Deep irrigations are recommended during the heat of the summer.
Remember, the deeper the soak, the
deeper the roots. For best results irrigate between 12 am (midnight)
and 5 am in the morning.

Mowing height in the summer should be raised to reduce added stress
to the turf. With a deep root system,
your drought tolerance will increase.

Mowing

• Blue/Rye High of 2 inches and Low of 1 inch
• Tall Fescue High of 3inches and Low of 2 inches
• Dwarf Fescue High of 3 inches and Low of 1 ½ inches
• Mow regularly and never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade
  length for best results.
• Keep mower blades well sharpened for the best cut and great
  looking turf.

Fertilization

Use a product designed specifically for the Fall season (winterizing
fertilizer). Consult your local
nursery for recommendations.

Irrigation

Reset your irrigation clock according to the weather in your area.
Decreasing your watering schedule
is necessary as the temperatures cool and the rain begins to fall

Dethatching & Aeration

Thatch is an accumulation of grass roots, leaves and other debris
that form just below the surface
of the sod. If your lawn has about ½ inch or more of a thatch layer,
sunlight and water will be
blocked from providing nutrients.

Aeration opens up the soil and stimulates root growth, especially
when followed by a balanced fertilization.
Core aeration also relieves soil compaction in older lawns and high
traffic areas. Multiple aerations
(2 to 3 or more per year) can greatly benefit high use lawns and
help ease compaction.

Overseeding

Overseed with a variety that matches your existing lawn to maintain a
lush and healthy appearance.

If you have a warm season grass that will go dormant in the winter,
overseed with a cool season grass
(such as ryegrass) to maintain a green lawn during the winter
months.

Small and large package seed is available for most Delta Bluegrass
varieties. Contact your local distributor
for availability.

Additional Seasonal Tips

Be sure to rake any leaves and debris that are covering your lawn on
a regular basis. The additional
debris may cause mold and disease if left unmaintained.

The winter season does not require much maintenance.

Fertilization

Consult your local nursery for a winterizing fertilizer. Your fall
application of fertilizer should
maintain your lawn through the winter months.

Irrigation

Adjust your irrigation according to weather conditions; you can turn
off your irrigation when the rainy
season begins.

Installation

For new installations in the winter, roots will take approximately 14
days to establish due to the
cooler weather.

Mowing

Adjust your mowing height to approximately 3 inches; this will
maximize blade exposure to any available
sunlight.